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10 Tips for the Prettiest Summer Party Ever

It’s summer. Days are longer and you’ve got a few more hours of daylight to catch up with girlfriends over a cocktail (or two, or three). For your next hang with gal pals, why not host a rosé tasting? Follow these 10 tips from Lauren Essel of Blue Eye Brown Eye to easily pull together the prettiest little party you ever did see.

1. Think pink. Rosé is pink, obvi. Run with that. Incorporate lots of girly details to make it fun.

2. Keep the menu simple — just a couple of options. Eliminate stress by grabbing a cheese tray, hummus, veggies and crackers from the grocery store, and — bam! — you’ve got a party spread.

3. Focus on the drinks. Pick a few bottles of wine from different regions: a couple of sparkling rosés and a few still in a variety of shades.

4. Remember mommies-to-be and friends who don’t drink. Make a mocktail with flavored sparkling water or pink lemonade. Use a variety of fruits to garnish.

5. Mix it up. Instead of matching stemware, get a variety of inexpensive glassware from an antiques mall or flea market. Not only is that more interesting, it’s also practical: Friends are less likely to lose their drinks as they mingle.

6. Make it pretty. Single buds in bud vases make an impact and cost little. Purchase a few flowers from the grocery a day or two before your event. This will give buds time to open before your friends arrive.

7. Set the mood with a good playlist. Keep it chill as the night begins — think Leon Bridges. A few hours in, switch it up with a little Beyoncé.

8. Let it glow. As the sun sets, bring out the votives to set the mood. If you’re sitting outside, a strand of café lights makes for a beautiful atmosphere. And if that’s the case, be prepared with bug spray and citronella candles too.

9. End on a sweet note. Fresh fruit popsicles make a lovely, cooling dessert on a hot summer night. Think watermelon, raspberry or grapefruit. They even go great with wine!

10. Send glasses home with guests as party favors. Friends can remember their night of rosé and friendship — and you’ll have fewer dishes to wash.